Virtual Work for the Project Resource

My first position out of college was working for a big consulting firm, I was allowed to work virtually on some Fridays while engaged on out of town projects.  Since then technology has made virtual work even more effective and easy.  Personally I am a big fan of virtual work when it is appropriate.  In fact, often certain phases of a project can require periods of time where work is better performed remotely.  Take for example authoring a series of functional specifications, these documents require constant un-interrupted focused effort, and project war rooms are not often associated with long periods of quite time.

You will never hear me say an entire project can be run virtually or be tempted to hire a resource who is only available to work virtually.  Business consulting has just too many "high touch" moments when you need to be sat across from your stakeholders and team members.  But there is often flexibility to perform phases or certain periods of work virtually.

When used correctly virtual work can have several benefits: You can pull from a larger pool of project resources, you can keep those resources more refreshed and engaged from potential project burn out and office real estate can be best utilized.

Set the ground rules:

• Understand to work virtually is actually a temporary privilege, one that (if guidelines are followed) continues or ceases to exist altogether if not.
• On-site project or client needs always take precedence over virtual work.  If a big meeting has been moved to Friday, sorry your plans have just changed.
• Extra due diligence is required in planning and scheduling meetings and travel.  Often this requires much more forward planning on the part of the resource who will work virtually.
• Define core working hours where you expect 100% focused at your desk work (e.g. 8am - 3pm)
• Always be accessible.  In this era of smart phones, aside from you having an MRI or being in-flight, be very responsive...very quickly.

Monitor the ground rules:

• Monitor responsiveness to emails, phone calls and instant messaging (especially during the agreed upon core working hours).
• Monitor last minute meeting cancellations, usually it is a sign of poor planning and time management.
• Monitor flexibility on behalf of the virtual project resource when project plans change.
• Weigh the most important aspect, "Is the work getting done?"

About Us:

At CompassX we do a bit of virtual work for our clients, to see how we can help you visit our web site.
You can contact me at kyleh@compassx.com  |  www.compassx.com | © COMPASSX GROUP, 2013

What Makes a Good Consultant a Great Consultant?

Last week I met with a number of my clients, while helping them plan for upcoming project work. One of the questions I asked the group was, "What makes a good consultant a great consultant?"

By my estimation, my client group represented close to 100 years combined experience working with consultants in all sorts of different capacities.

Like an expert sharpshooter, their answers were consistently grouped.

1. A real focus on the customer.  Quick question, which is most important?  Your firm's goals or your personal career path?  Neither, without a real focus on your customer both will never fully materialize.
2. The ability to quickly bridge knowledge gaps.  Although the client often dreams of the perfect consulting resource, rarely does one individual meet the complete wish list.  Possessing the ability to quickly get up to speed in areas where you may lack knowledge is tremendously useful for the great consultant.
3. Drive, persistance, determination. You might be a Rhodes scholar, have prestigious university credentials and speak fluent Mandarin. I'm still taking the guy who has demonstrated he won't give up when things get tough, the pit bull who won't let go of his toy until he has won the tug o' war.
4. Listening  and communication skills.  No matter how good you think you are in these soft skills, as a great consultant you should always be trying to get better. I intend to do a post specifically on these two traits soon. 
5. Personality. Consulting is tough sledding. Many hours are spent in the trenches, deadlines are always looming, tensions can run high.  How do you react when things don't go your way? Do you play well with others?  Great consultant's won't be rattled easily.

About Us:

At CompassX we know all about strategy implementation and great project execution excellence, 80% of our client work is focused on nothing else.

You can contact me at kyleh@compassx.com  |  www.compassx.com | © COMPASSX GROUP, 2013